marys

Nope, called Dr. Pinnar's office and everyone else in the DC/metro area - I snobbishly thought when I moved back east there would be several providers either thru fill center or locally that would see patients from Mexico - I will save you the trouble and you won't find anyone. Most won't even return my calls. There is only one fill center provider and I don't know what his/her credentials are that offers flouro in New Jersey but its near impossilbe to get an appointment and it's 4 hours away. Please keep me posted if you or anyone knows anything different. I am going back to Mexico and would go to a utah doc - dr muse - if he had weekend hours - it's just too hard to get off work and fly out during the week. My mexico docs will see people on the weekends - still expensive and time consuming but flouro and very good service/lots of experience.

my friend saw him yesterday -he will have his own flouro machine in two weeks

I had the BEST experience with a fill by the doctor in Salt Lake - I think his name was Dr. Muse. He is a bariatric doctor - he did a great fill - one stick - really understands obesity and issues surrounding it. Wish dearly I was still there as he was very very good - definitely call and get him. I've since moved to the east coast and it is impossible to get in anywhere nearer than new jersey and impossible to get in with a flouro - i am going back to San diego and Tijuana because it is so difficult. good luck

Dear lapband friends, I've been gone from here for some time and wanted to say hi and let everyone know I'm still around (AND still banded). Before I left I had resolved to get my band out and was very unhappy with banded life. I had had little success with weight loss and was disappointed and frustrated. I have had many ups and downs - mostly related to my many issues surrounding food, eating, following the band rules, etc. I know we all face pretty much the same issues - maybe to differing degrees. I've since moved back east and traded my ski bum lifestyle for a very hectic life in DC. I'm back working a bit crazily but love my job. Even though they cater lunches 2-3 times a week and feed us ANYTHING WE want - (lordy) I have been able lose almost 30lbs and finally accept I have a band. For me that means finally realizing how much I need to eat (versus how much I want to eat), eating three meals and no Snacks (not grazing all day), being able to stop eating and watching others eat, leaving food on my plate (almost the hardest) and making and meeting goals instead of just hoping I lose weight. I've been banded since November 2005 and I finally feel like I got it. It's not just because I am experiencing success in terms of weight loss but it's taken me this long (god, I am a hard headed woman) to really accept I have it. I pray now every day I can keep my band as I know I will always always need it. I thank many of you who wrote to me personally and apologize if I did not answer. I was in a bad place for awhile - no excuse for bad manners but that is where I was mentally. I want to offer hope to bandsters who are struggling or frustrated. You too can experience success but for some of us it takes a lot longer. I always said 'this is for life' but living it and saying it (like a lot of things) is real different. I also realize everything can change in an instant but this is where I am now. Back to being thankful I had the chance to change my life and ACTIVELY working to make it better. I think I wanted the band to magically change me - again I didn't verbalize this but I think mentally felt it. I've missed you all. I hope to be back again more often. I wish everyone success and patience with this crazy band. Hugs, mary s surgery - November 17, 2005 Weight loss to date - 29lbs yippee

Loreen, I don't think you are crazy at all - the band does not work for everybody and I've felt the same way you have regarding eating - the restriction in the types of food, etc. I only told one friend and she said a similar thing - it just makes eating no fun (or something similar). i can't eat fruit at all unless it is blended in a smoothie and veges have to be cooked to mush - most bandsters don't care how/what they eat as long as they are losing weight. I myself have eaten under 600 calories a day in order to lose weight with the band and most will praise you for being able to do that. Everyone is different - but I am convinced the band is not right for everyone - in the end only you can decide but you've already spent a lot of money so what is really 5,000 more if it will give you peace of mind. If you can't eat the way you want with an unfill and if you are still pbing a lot - is that really any way to live? Yes, 5,000 is tough but it could be very much worth it. Think long and hard but in the end trust your inner voice.

oh gosh - thanks (I think) lol. I'm actually too modest and too fat to be able to stand that but it's good to know how it works. I'm also Italian and hairy as can be.

Ok how is it done EXACTLY - meaning what position am I in, what am I wearing (I'm guessing NOTHING) and how long does it take, etc.

Wow - I was a bit jealous to read wheetsin's response about her lack of interest in food and lack of hunger. I'm sure that is why the band has not worked for me. I am always hungry and have never been not hungry. I have learned to eat next to nothing and be 'satisfied' but that isn't what is described by other bandsters. I have had the full feeling a few times when I've been so swollen I couldn't eat but no level of restriction has ever gotten me there - i'm either too tight and can't eat or too loose and can eat or in between and make myself stop. for me I'm convinced I need medication - only when my head is messed with can i not care of eating. I would love to have phen phen available again as that did it for me.

I only eat dinner

I'm planning a trip to Maui in July - I think i've narrowed it down to west maui and will have a car. I'm looking for suggestions of where to stay: Not a resort - prefer to rent a condo On or walking distance to the beach A nice swimming beach by the condo close to shops, restaurants - somewhat accessible but still quiet more private not too many kids and, any thoughts on the maui eldorado - that seems to get some good reviews, etc. any other suggestions are also welcome - thanks,

So sorry FreeButterfly - I know you'll be happy to be pain free soon though. Thanks for sharing your situation as there are way too many bandsters that love their band super tight and it does seem to be the recipe for future problems. I have always like food too much (surprise!) to be super tight - if I can't eat I am miserable. I'm sure your new behaviors and attitude will help you on this next part of your journey. Good luck to you.

I've been thinking for some time about getting my band out and after talking with a shrink for several months have decided to do it. My date is the weekend of May 18 and I just wanted to thank all my band buddies here for the Major Support over the last several years. I've taken all the advice and suggestions and appreciate you all here very much. This is the right decision for me as having the band is actually making me more crazy around food and weight loss, etc. then before I had the band. To fail at what i considered my last resort is just too much!! I wish you all continued success on this crazy journey.

Aww - thanks everyone. Ironically, My recent breakup and now a week of painful jaw problems has started me losing weight again. It hurts to even open my mouth so even drinking seems like too much work. I'm on treatment for a week and laughing to myself that I will have to lose weight now!

Most of us have more willpower then we realize but you have to first start by changing your mindset - YOU DO have willpower and you need to tap into what will motivate you. You are so newly banded and could already be at risk of losing your band. Plus your wife is going to be banded so you both must be committed to this new life/lifestyle. And, I'm guessing you laid out some clams for this surgery which was enough to motivate me! You need to really think this thru and make some commitments to yourself - I don't keep a lot of foods in the house which cuts down on snacking and grazing. I plan my meals so I don't get too hungry and eat out. I try to eat foods I like but in smaller quantitities so I don't crave a lot of stuff. But this is all me - you need to do that soul searching and like the Nike commercial - just do it - we all fall down and have weak moments but they should be moments not every day every second. come on you CAN do this - start slow - go one meal at a time - Put money in a jar when you screw up (or give it to your wife to shop)...

Carlene and others, Here are some of my musings/rants on my Catholic experience... Many moons ago, my mom quit the church (though now she goes again!) when the priest told her if she used a diaphram/birthcontrol she would go to hell. The doctors told her if she got pregnant again she would die and the priest told her if that was god's will, so be it. I questioned the baptism/purgatory issue since I was 9 and was sent home from Sunday school so many times. Finally I was told I was NOT to ask any questions and that I was to accept all that was told to me. I was big on wondering where all the people who weren't catholic or baptized going to go when they died- Answer purgatory is for them - just cuz they don't know any better isn't any reason they would NECESSARILY go to hell. My poor sister finally relented and had her baby baptized after my folks tormented her with worry that she wouldn't get into heaven. Of course they haven't been to church since but by god at least she won't be stuck in purgatory. Maybe it was just my congregation but growing up I saw TWO priests breakdown on the pulpit (one banging and banging saying god is knocking let him in) finally carried off by the nuns to never return. TWO who came to our house regularly (my mom was always sick) who drank so much my dad had to drive them back and then hid the liquor from them. And one last rant - i absolutely HATE when people say - Hate the sin, Love the sinner. I'm certainly not the poster child for any religion nor is this rambling by any means close to touching on the tenets of the religion - just my rambling.

Ok here I am again - knowing only what my friends have told me so i'm sure it's not the whole story...anyway the undergarments are like a t-shirt and shorts that cover all the areas you aren't supposed to show to the world. it keeps you in tune with being modest. Your clothes are supposed cover all the areas your garments cover. I also don't think boys/men wear garments, only the woman. My mormon friend wanted to wear shorts to her family reunion and she got so much flak from her family she didn't do it. And just for the record - i am a recovering catholic - I absolutely shun any and all organized religions - the group think thing frightens me! I appreciate the mormons here passing along correct information but no matter what it is, I'm sure I'll think it bizarre.

I live in Utah now (non mormon but with several mormon friends - one couple practicing and all the rest jack mormons - raised mormon but not practicing and most ostracized from their family etc.) Yep, I was raised catholic and thought that was bad - mormon beliefs seem even more outrageous. My one friend told me of a ceremony she was forced to participate in at around 11 - baptism for the dead - in front of a panel of men - dressed in white and baptised over and over again - she said about 50 times with the guy chanting the names of dead people she didn't even know then brought back to the church - I kept asking her what was it about and she said it was never discussed with her - strange! Then, what they do before you get married is wild - annointing your parts in some wierd ceremony.. Another friend's sister's husband cheated on her three or more times and was forgiven because he was a sleepwalker - ha. And, yes if you get divorced for any reason the wife is always stuck to the first husband .. hmm let's see what else I've heard - different layers of heaven that you can only go to if you follow the rules for that layer (if you don't tithe and wear your garmets, go to church and all the stake and ward meetings you aint getting in top echelon - blah blah) my other fnon mormon friend sent her two dgtrs to a slumber party - they are 8 & 10 and the mormon family sent them home cuz their pj's (shorts and tank tops) weren't modest. ugh - I really don't mean this to be a slam against mormons but just sharing some strange things that I've experienced here.

Yes, that's true - my friend goes to Malley and loves him - he has access to flouro but doesn't always use it - not sure how that works but I think if you want it and willing to pay - it's there. He also has a support group which she likes.

I did a second mortgage and used that - I would also consider 2-3 low interest credit cards as the dr financing i looked into was astronomical.

Definitely wait on lifting weights - When you use proper form you are almost always using your core muscles for stability, etc. That's exactly where your incisions are and you are healing. There are lots of other types of exercises you can do - I can't remember exactly what my doc told me because I am a snow skier and I had surgery on November 18 and I didn't ski again until January (late) and then very easy... you really need to heal - try walking - briskly for 1/2 hour to an hour is terrific exercise - light cardio machines etc. Always follow doc's advice. take care

I am IN LUV with EAS myoplex lite shakes - i heavily prefer the packets that i mix in the blender with water and ice - you can make them super thick or thin - i find them soooo good and filling. they only have 180 calories and 25 grams of protein and 19 carb - so a good mix for most of us trying to get protein in. I have had and use the premixed drinks - esp for travel - but i don't like them as much.

this sounds like what happened to my friend - she had a hiatial hernia - maybe you could check that out too. good luck!

I can and only have started losing on 600-800 - my doc said 1200 too but it didn't work for me. Personally I'd eat as much as I could as long as i was losing weight. I'm exercising for the next 7 days in a row and seeing how that works with this lower caloric intake. Prior to that I ate about 1200 a day and snow skied strenuously 4-7 days a week - NADA. i believe there are only a handful of folks like me so don't let it get you down. It's not always ONLY calories in/out for many of us - you should play around with what works for you. I would definitely suggest keeping a very accurate food journal (i like fitday.com) as most of us seriously underestimate our intake.

make sure you aren't dehydrated - that always makes me tired.

good luck helen - you will feel better immediately - have the doc let you guzzle some Water before re filling you - you are of course, doing the right thing. i know what you mean - i would have done it myself with a knitting needle - it is that bad! p.s. when i had my unfill i had to take a FIRST CLASS flight to san diego then to Tijuana. the flight attendents kept offering food and all manner of drinks. i tried to suck a life saver and barfed all over the place. hang in there you wll be better soon.